Blowing raspberries at conventional fruit beds
Raspberries are an easy and versatile crop to grow but they can take over and be intrusive, so learn from my early mistakes! One major error I made in my experimental fruit/herbaceous border front garden was planting autumn-fruiting raspberries there. I had planned to train the canes around in a circle – no such luck. The canes spread on long runners (or suckers) in whatever direction they pleased, leading to a look like brambles have taken over. I’m still finding odd traces years later! A lesson learned.
Between November and March is the best time to plant or replant them. They’re shallow-rooted, so it’s not difficult to move canes. It’s just as well, as I had to shift them four times. This was mainly to shoehorn my greenhouse into the garden. Read about new and exclusive raspberries.
Beware of those runners!
They were in a raised bed on soil, but managed to creep under the walls and runners were popping up everywhere. It took days to painstakingly sieve the soil and get rid of any roots. Now they’re in a 1m x 1m raised bed on concrete where those creeping runners can’t do any damage. Raspberries like moisture-retentive, fertile, slightly acidic soils, which is a pain if you live in a hard water area like me and need to water them. Use rainwater instead. Plant in a sheltered, sunny position, although they will tolerate part shade. Raspberries can be bought as bare-root canes (cheaper) or in containers.
Space plants 45-60cm apart, then add a 7.5cm thick mulch of bulky organic matter. In containers, plant three to a 30cm pot, using a loam and multi-purpose potting compost mix. Make sure plants are well-fed and watered during summer. In early March, apply slow-release general fertiliser and mulch with well-rotted organic matter.
Potted guide: autumn-fruiting raspberries
- PLANTING TIME: November-March (bare root); July-September (pot-grown).
- HARVESTING TIME: August-October.
- PLANTING DISTANCE: 45-60cm (18in–2ft) apart, with 7.5cm/3″ mulch; 3 canes to 30cm/12″ pot.
- ASPECT AND SOIL: Full sun, moisture-retentive, slightly acidic soil; will tolerate some light shade.
- HARDINESS: Hardy.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy.
- PRUNING: Cut back all canes to ground level in February. Reduce canes slightly in summer if they are overcrowded. No wires are needed.
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: Autumn Treasure; All Gold (yellow); Joan J; Polka; Black Jewel (black); Primeberry Autumn First; Primeberry Autumn Best; Frambeasy Autumn Amber (apricot).
Potted guide: summer-fruiting raspberries
- PLANTING TIME: November-March (bare root); July-September (pot-grown).
- HARVESTING TIME: June-early August.
- PLANTING DISTANCE: 45-60cm (18in–2ft) apart, with 7.5cm/3″ mulch; 3 canes to 30cm/12″ pot.
- ASPECT AND SOIL: Full sun, moisture-retentive, slightly acidic soil; will tolerate some light shade.
- HARDINESS: Hardy.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy – but canes need support, and pruning is more complex.
- PRUNING: Cut back fruited canes to ground level after harvesting. Select the strongest six to eight young canes, and tie them 8-10cm (3-4in) apart along with wire supports or canes. Remove remaining young stems at ground level.
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: Glen Moy; Glen Fyne; Ruby Beauty; Glen Ample; Tulameen; Valentina; Glen Coe (purple); Sanibelle; Willamette; Meeker. For an unusual yellow-leaved variety, try Groovy.
